Students pursuing a major or minor in Theatre and Performance Studies engage in a two-step process of investigating both the act of aesthetic performance and the fact of performance in American and global culture. Because theatre and drama synthesize all the arts and humanities, majors and minors will study the art of stage and screen acting, scenic design and stagecraft, directing for the screen and the stage, the history of dramatic representation from Greece to the silver screen, as well as other courses in the department.

The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies offers course work and extracurricular experiences that foster an appreciation for the art and craft of theatre and film as well as create a challenging, intellectually stimulating, professionally-based, participated environment that encourages the creative process.

The department requires majors to demonstrate:

a broad knowledge of the history, literature and function of the theatre, including works from various periods and cultures;

the ability to analyze a script from the viewpoint of a performer, designer/technician, or the director;

Students are encouraged to take part in Maskrafter productions, student productions, departmental reading hours and performances, Alpha Psi Omega (the theatre honorary), as well as other campus organizations such as the Georgetown College Film Club, and other groups dedicated to visual and performing arts.

Major

(B.A. Degree) Thirty-three hours required in Theatre and Performance Studies including THE 220, 225, 227, 425; twenty-one additional hours from courses in the major, including one course in Shakespeare. Allied course will consist of ENG 335.

Minor

Eighteen hours required in Theatre and Performance Studies including either THE 220 or 225, THE 227, and twelve additional hours.

Courses

107. Theatre Appreciation. (2 hours) Introduction to the history and development of performance. Fall and Spring

220. Performance of Literature. (3 hours) Basic principles of performance, with attention to analysis as preparation for individual and group performance of literature. Fall

225. Acting. (3 hours) Concentration on the creation of dramatic characters through the development of the performer’s awareness of the physiological, psychological, and mental components inherent in performance as learned through experiential activities. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses section. Fall and Spring

266 and 267. Practicum in Theatre. (1 hour each) Practical experience in theatre production and performance. Serves as laboratory for the development of production skills and performance experience. No student may present more than two hours of practica credit for a major; one for a minor. Fall and Spring

268. Production Practicum in Theatre. (1 hour) Implementation of performance/production position. A student may enroll for credit in conjunction with an assigned role in a department production. No student may present more than two hours of practica credit for a major; one for a minor. Prerequisites: Permission of director or technical director AND department chair. Fall and Spring

320. Advanced Performance Studies. (3 hours) Concentration on contemporary performance theory and practice in three different genres of solo performance. Prerequisite: THE 220, 225, or consent of instructor. As needed

325. Advanced Acting. (3 hours) Students will study further development of physical and emotional instruments; development of improvisational and dramatic scenes. Prerequisite: THE 225. Spring

327. Directing. (3 hours) Basic play interpretation; casting-rehearsal procedures, director-actor relationship in analysis and creation procedures; creation of character, and the major tasks of the director. Each student will select, cast, rehearse, and present for class analysis several short dramatic scenes. Prerequisite: THE 225. Even Falls 347. History of Film. (3 hours) Study of the history of film as a medium of communication, culture, and art through survey of significant films in the history of its development as well as its relationship to theatre and other arts. Even Springs

407. Creative Dramatics and Children’s Theatre. (2 or 3 hours) Introduction to and overview of the theory and use of creative dramatics and children’s theatre activities in education. Fall and Spring

420. Group Performance. (3 hours) Study of and experience in group performance of literature including readers theatre and chamber theatre through adaptation of scripts, direction of and participation in productions for public performance. Prerequisite: THE 220, 225, or by permission of the instructor. As needed

422. Independent Filmmaking. (3 hours) This course introduces students to the process of conceptualizing and producing independent digital cinema. Students will study and participate in all pre-production, production, and post-production elements of digital motion pictures. Spring

425. Theatre History. (3 hours) Study of elements of theatre from Ancient Greece to the present, with an emphasis on dramatic literature. Prerequisite: Sophomore or above or permission of instructor. Odd Springs

428. Production Design. (3 hours) Techniques of production design; research, creative design, and development of working drawings for sets, lighting, and costumes. Prerequisite: THE 227. Even Spring

440. Independent Study. (1 to 3 hours) With the approval and permission of a member of the Theatre and Performance Studies faculty and the chair of the Theatre department, students may engage in reading, research and performance on or in an area of their own choosing. As needed

450. Seminar. (3 hours) In depth study of a topic announced during pre-registration. Prerequisites: Junior standing, THE 220, or 225 and 227, or permission of the instructor. As needed

461. Internship. (1-3 hours) Fieldwork activities in performance-related fields in the area. Prerequisites: THE 220, 225, and 227, or permission of the instructor. Fall and Spring

471. Topics in Theatre and Performance Studies. (3 hours) Specialized study in theatre and performance styles, genres, or issues related to the field. As needed